Whenever you go to the beach, you bring a lot of stuff with you, including a bulky, awkward blanket to keep the sand from scorching you. Or you did. Thanks to modern textiles and design, beach blankets now fit in the palm of your hand and can hang off your belt or your bag with ease. Here’s how to ditch that giant blanket for good.
Sandproof and waterproof are a must. Any foldable beach blanket worth its stitching is made of rip-stop nylon or a similar material that won’t pick up sand, and will have a finish that won’t irritate skin. This will also make it useful as an impromptu rain shelter or roof over a campsite. Look for blankets that specifically mark themselves as sand and water proof, just remember that you’ll have to shake them off before you fold them away.
Consider size next. These space-savers come in a number of sizes, usually about 5’ to 6’ long by 4’ to 4’6” wide, enough to fit most families on there. Of course, for larger families, you can just buy two and place them together, but still look at overall sizes for maximum comfort.
Don’t think you have to sacrifice style, either. There are plenty of colors available to ensure you don’t come out of the water to some other family on your blanket, and that you can fit to your own personal taste. It also makes it handy for the woods, where it can be seen from a distance.